Colorado Lawmakers Advance Conversion Therapy Lawsuit Bill Despite SCOTUS Ruling

GOP lawmaker calls the move a 'slap in the face' to the Supreme Court's recent decision blocking the state's therapy ban.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:34am

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A fragmented, abstract painting of a gavel or other political symbol related to the conversion therapy debate, repeated in overlapping geometric waves of deep blue, purple, and red colors, conveying the fractured political tensions around this issue.Colorado's legislative push to allow lawsuits against conversion therapy providers comes as a rebuke to the Supreme Court's recent ruling against the state's therapy ban.Valdez Today

The Democratic-controlled Colorado House passed a bill allowing people harmed by conversion therapy to sue therapists, just days after the Supreme Court blocked enforcement of the state's ban on the method. The measure could open the door to lawsuits years after therapy takes place and expose providers to significant financial liability.

Why it matters

The new bill comes in direct response to the Supreme Court's recent 8-1 ruling that Colorado's conversion therapy ban likely violates the First Amendment by allowing some viewpoints but not others. This sets up a potential clash between the state legislature and the nation's highest court.

The details

HB26-1322 would establish a pathway for Coloradans to bring civil claims against licensed mental health professionals accused of causing harm through efforts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill also allows people to seek legal action against the entities that hired and supervised a professional who conducted conversion therapy. The measure could open the door to lawsuits years after therapy takes place and expose providers to significant financial liability.

  • The Colorado House passed the bill on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The Supreme Court ruled against Colorado's conversion therapy ban just days before the state legislature advanced this new lawsuit bill.

The players

HB26-1322

A bill passed by the Colorado House that would allow people harmed by conversion therapy to sue therapists.

Matt Soper

A Republican member of the Colorado House who criticized the new bill as a 'slap in the face' to the Supreme Court's recent ruling.

Alex Valdez

A Democratic state representative and co-sponsor of the conversion therapy lawsuit bill.

Karen McCormick

A Democratic state representative and co-sponsor of the conversion therapy lawsuit bill.

Kaley Chiles

A licensed Christian therapist who sued Colorado over its conversion therapy ban, arguing her conversations with youth clients were protected speech.

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What they’re saying

“We have a bill that's designed to be a de facto ban on conversion therapy moving forward. That just hits at the heartstrings of the average American, that the Supreme Court can't even have a ruling be hot off the press before you have a legislature already pushing to undo what the Supreme Court just ruled.”

— Matt Soper, Republican Colorado State Representative

“In Colorado, you belong just the way you are. Now more than ever, we must protect LGBTQ+ Coloradans from the harmful practice that is conversion therapy. We vow to keep moving forward to safeguard the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado.”

— Alex Valdez and Karen McCormick, Democratic Colorado State Representatives

What’s next

The conversion therapy lawsuit bill now heads to the Democratic-controlled Colorado Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This clash between the Colorado legislature and the Supreme Court's recent ruling highlights the ongoing legal and political battles over LGBTQ+ rights, conversion therapy, and the balance between free speech and professional regulation.